Communication

A Designed Biosurfactant Protein for Switchable Foam Control

  1. Prof. Anton P. J. Middelberg1,*,
  2. Mirjana Dimitrijev-Dwyer2

Article first published online: 1 MAR 2011

DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201100082

Issue

ChemPhysChem

ChemPhysChem

Special Issue: Jacobus van't Hoff

Volume 12, Issue 8, pages 1426–1429, June 6, 2011

Additional Information

How to Cite

Middelberg, A. P. J. and Dimitrijev-Dwyer, M. (2011), A Designed Biosurfactant Protein for Switchable Foam Control. ChemPhysChem, 12: 1426–1429. doi: 10.1002/cphc.201100082

Author Information

  1. 1

    Centre for Biomolecular Engineering, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD (Australia), Fax: (+61) 33463190

  2. 2

    School of Chemical Engineering, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD (Australia), Fax: (+61) 33463190

*Centre for Biomolecular Engineering, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD (Australia), Fax: (+61) 33463190

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 24 MAY 2011
  2. Article first published online: 1 MAR 2011
  3. Manuscript Received: 1 FEB 2011

Funded by

  • Australian Research Council. Grant Number: DP1093056

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Keywords:

  • surfactants;
  • foams;
  • proteins;
  • stability;
  • thin films
Thumbnail image of graphical abstract

Making and breaking foams: A facile method for foam control is reported using a designed biosurfactant. The new biosurfactant is based on a four-helix bundle design which is interfacially active across a broad pH range. At pH 8.5 stable foam forms, yet decreasing the pH to 7.5 causes rapid foam dissipation. This unique behaviour can be linked to subtle molecular and specific-ion effects which lead to switchable changes in the state of the foam thin film (see picture).

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